International Student Guide | Sydney | 2018 | Sydney Guide Student International International Student Guide FREE 2018 Sydney & New South Wales A GUIDE BY LOCAL EXPERTS CONNECTWITH STUDYNSW StudyNSW coordinates a wide range of programs and support services for international students to help you make the most of your time in Sydney and NSW Visit our International Student Access free legal advice from Welcome Desk at Sydney Redfern Legal Centre International Airport Contact Service NSW for free Find out about our NSW information and referral advice International Student Awards Explore work experience and work Follow us at integrated learning opportunities facebook.com/study.sydney.australia through NSW Global Scope and our or visit our website www.study.sydney airport welcome desk WIL program to find out more and keep in touch Stay connected www.study.sydney study.sydney.australia STEP INTO COOL STUDENT LIVING STEP INTO IGLU 5 PRIME SYDNEY LOCATIONS Iglu Broadway Iglu Central Iglu Central Park Iglu Chatswood Iglu Redfern (Opens 2018) Iglu’s cool design, warm hospitality and prime locations, make it the perfect place for Sydney students to call home. WIFI PRIME SAFE, SECURE AWESOME ONE EASY INCLUDED LOCATIONS & SUPPORTIVE FACILITIES WEEKLY FEE LIVE IT NOW » IgluStudentAccommodation IgluStudents @IgluStudents www.iglu.com.au | #livecoolatiglu Maximise your potential for fun www.whatson . sydney Ideas to get you out and about Message From The Lord Mayor of Sydney On behalf of the people who live and work among our communities that make the city a here, it is my pleasure to welcome you to great place to live, visit and study. Sydney - one of the most exciting and diverse cities in the world. In April, we will host a number of signature events as part of National Youth Week With a lifestyle that is second-to-none, celebrations. Sydney is Australia’s most exciting education destination. We have leading research This dynamic, accessible and safe city is just facilities and teachers, providing overseas waiting to be explored – and this guide will students with wonderful educational help you discover it. Our What’s On website opportunities. is a fantastic way to find out about events being held throughout the city. Sydney offers great dining and shopping, as well as some of the best and most inspiring We have a dedicated program to improve arts, culture and natural environments to be Sydney. We’re on track to reduce our carbon found anywhere in Australia. pollution by 70% of 2006 levels by 2030. We have planted thousands of trees in our Sydney is a city that is alive with opportunity streets and parks to provide shade, habitat for and possibility. While you study here, you will animals and cool our city. be able to enjoy sport and cultural events, including our spectacular New Year’s Eve We’ve set aside $220 million to turn George celebrations and the biggest Chinese New Street into a pedestrian and public transport Year celebrations held outside Asia. boulevard, and over the last six years our growing bike network has seen the number The annual Living in Harmony Festival in of bike trips double. I hope you take the March celebrates Sydney’s vibrant cultures opportunity to use our network of safe, and the collaborative spirit of the more than separated cycleways across Sydney. 200 nationalities that reside in our local area. The festival showcases the richness of the Welcome to our great city. cultures, histories, experiences and stories ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TRADITIONAL OWNERS The City of Sydney acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional custodians of our land. The City acknowledges the Gadigal of the Eora Nation as the traditional custodians of this place we now call Sydney. Clover Moore LORD MAYOR OF SYDNEY cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au Facebook & Twitter - CityofSydney Redfern Legal Centre offers free, confidential legal Do you need advice about: legal help? Tenancy and Housing Employment Money Problems and Consumer Complaints Discrimination and Human Rights Domestic Violence Issues with Your Studies Police Complaints Government Complaints Do you need an interpreter? To call us using a free telephone interpreter, call the Translating Call Redfern Legal Centre and Interpreting Service 02 9698 7645 on 131 450. Free and confidential legal advice for International students studying in NSW Visit www.rlc.org.au Come and see us at 73 Pitt Street Redfern Redfern Legal Centre Email: [email protected] Welcome to Sydney and New South Wales Congratulations on choosing the best place I want NSW to feel like home and I want to in the world to study. I am delighted that you help to make your experience here the best it are joining us in New South Wales (NSW) and can be. That is why the NSW Government has as the Minister responsible for supporting our StudyNSW, the NSW Government agency international students, I want to wish you the dedicated to supporting and enriching your warmest possible welcome. student experience. StudyNSW coordinates a wide range of services to help with living, Each year we attract more than 200,000 studying, and working in NSW, all of which is international students from 160 countries available on their website. around the world to study on our beautiful shores. I hope your time with us will leave you StudyNSW has also teamed up with the with a lifetime of fond memories. Redfern Legal Centre to offer free legal advice for international students during their The NSW education sector is world class. stay if they need it. If you’re looking for Wherever you study in NSW, you learn. practical experiences, they also provide work from the best. Our universities, research integrated learning opportunities through organisations, vocational education and programs such as NSW Global Scope and our training institutions, including government- airport welcome desk. owned NSW Technical and Further Education (NSW TAFE), have a global reputation for On behalf of the NSW Government I wish excellence. We are also home to a wide range you every success with your studies and I of Australia’s leading private education and hope you take the chance to explore and training providers, English language colleges enjoy all that Sydney and NSW has to offer. and secondary schools. THE HON. NIALL MARK BLAIR MLC Minister for Primary Industries, Minister for Regional Water, and Minister for Trade and Industry INSIDERGUIDES.COM.AU 7 Australia Has Been Waiting For You We help you discover your next adventure, learn about Australian culture and get settled in your new home. insiderguides.com.au Welcome Welcome to Sydney and thanks for picking We understand international students are up a copy of Insider Guides - International not tourists. You’re here to live! As such, this Student Guide. guide is designed to allow you to discover what life is really like here, and for you to discover We’re here to get you settled so you can your new home on your terms. start enjoying your new home as quickly as possible. Use this guide, which is written by Use this guide to find new places to hang out, locals, to get an insider’s perspective on what places to explore, food and drink to try and life is like here. enjoy all that is great about Australian culture. It will also help you secure a place to live, find For updated information about how to settle a job, get a bank account, navigate public in and enjoy life in Australia, head to: transport and much more. insiderguides.com.au Everything you need to get started in your new ACCOMMODATION 10 life in Australia. Get the basics out of the way so COMMUNICATION 20 you can start enjoying yourself. MONEY & BANKING 26 EMPLOYMENT 30 STUDYING 36 HEALTH 40 TRANSPORT 44 There is more to Sydney than just the city centre. CITY CENTRE 54 This section will help you explore the areas that ULTIMO & HAYMARKET 58 make the city an ideal place to live. INNER EAST 62 INNER WEST 66 METROPOLITAN SYDNEY 70 REGIONAL NSW 72 Want to embrace Sydney and Australian life ADVENTURER 78 like a local? We’ll help you discover Australian CONNOISSEUR 86 culture and ways to engage with your EXPLORER 92 community. NIGHT OWL 100 KEY CONTACTS 104 INSIDERGUIDES.COM.AU 9 Accommodation Finding somewhere to live is a crucial part of a successful study experience in Australia. Whatever you choose, it is vital to fully understand all of your options and be aware of your rights and responsibilities. DO I KNOW? WHAT ARE MY WHAT THE TRAVEL TIME IS TO MY INSTITUTION? ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS? WHAT I NEED TO BUY TO GET STARTED? You can stay in a private rental property (either alone or with housemates), in IF I NEED TO ARRANGE ANY ADDITIONAL a homestay with a family, a student INSURANCE? apartment or a residential college. Each option has their own unique benefits and WHAT MY LEGAL RIGHTS ARE? drawbacks. 10 CITYOFSYDNEY.NSW.GOV.AU Comparing Options PRIVATE RENTAL This is true independent living - renting an apartment or a house either alone or with housemates. Living with others is ideal for meeting new people and reducing your costs. However, if you decide to go alone you will have to pay for everything and may get lonely (depending on your personality). Rentals come either furnished or unfurnished. Both will require you to buy the basic necessities but furnished will at least have the major furniture and appliances. HOMESTAY A homestay is staying with a family in their home with meals, internet and utilities covered by the family. While homestays are a popular option for a true Australian experience, and a good opportunity to learn English, some students can fi nd living with a family frustrating at times.